James 2 · Verse 25

James 2:25

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

James 2:25, King James Version

James 2:25 in other translations

BSB	In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?
WEB	In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
ASV	And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?
YLT	and in like manner also Rahab the harlot--was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?
DARBY	But was not in like manner also Rahab the harlot justified on the principle of works, when she had received the messengers and put them forth by another way?
BBE	And in the same way, was not the righteousness of Rahab, the loose woman, judged by her works, when she took into her house those who were sent and let them go out by another way?
Webster	Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

What does James 2:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

25. It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence He 11:31 names this as an example of faith, rather than of obedience. "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not." If an instance of obedience were wanting. Paul and James would hardly have quoted a woman of previously bad character, rather than the many moral and pious patriarchs. But as an example of free grace justifying men through an operative, as opposed to a mere verbal faith, none could be more suitable than a saved "harlot." As Abraham was an instance of an illustrious man and the father of the Jews, so Rahab is quoted as a woman, and one of abandoned character, and a Gentile, showing that justifying faith has been manifested in those of every class. The nature of the works alleged is such as to prove that James uses them only as evidences of faith, as contrasted with a mere verbal profession: not works of charity and piety, but works the value of which consisted solely in their being proofs of faith: they were faith expressed in act, synonymous with faith itself. messengers--spies. had received ... had sent--rather, "received ... thrust them forth" (in haste and fear) [Alford]. another way--from that whereby they entered her house, namely, through the window of her house on the wall, and thence to the mountain.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 25. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works? In the same sense in which Abraham was, as explained above--showing by her act that her faith was genuine, and that it was not a mere cold and speculative assent to the truths of religion. Her act showed that she truly believed God. If that act had not been performed, the fact would have shown that her faith was not genuine, and she could not have been justified. God saw her faith as it was; he saw that it would produce acts of obedience, and he accepted her as righteous. The act which she performed was the public manifestation of her faith, the evidence that she was justified. Heb 11:31 for a full explanation of the case of Rahab. It may be observed here, that we are not to suppose that everything in the life and character of this woman is commended. She is commended for her faith, and for the fair expression of it; a faith which, as it induced her to receive the messengers of the true God, and to send them forth in peace, and as it led her to identify herself with the people of God, was also influential, we have every reason to suppose, in inducing her to abandon her former course of life. When we commend the faith of a man who has been a profane swearer, or an adulterer, or a robber, or a drunkard, we do not commend his former life, or give a sanction to it. We commend that which has induced him to abandon his evil course, and to turn to the ways of righteousness. The more evil his former course has been, the more wonderful, and the more worthy of commendation, is that faith by which he is reformed and saved.

(a) "Rahab the harlot justified by works" Josh 2:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 25 Rahab the harlot - See the notes on Jos 2:1, etc., and Heb 11:31 (note), etc. Rahab had the approbation due to genuine faith, which she actually possessed, and gave the fullest proof that she did so by her conduct. As justification signifies, not only the pardon of sin, but receiving the Divine approbation, James seems to use the word in this latter sense. God approved of them, because of their obedience to his will; and he approves of no man who is not obedient.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 2:14-26

Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from…

Read the full comment on James 2:14-26 →

James 2:25 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὉμοίωςHomoiōsLikewiseG3668

δὲdethenG1161

καὶkaialsoG2532

ῬαὰβRhaabRahabG4460

ἡhētheG3588

πόρνηpornēprostituteG4204

οὐκouknotG3756

ἐξexbyG1537

ἔργωνergōnworksG2041

ἐδικαιώθηedikaiōthēwas justifiedG1344

ὑποδεξαμένηhupodexamenēhaving receivedG5264

τοὺςtoustheG3588

ἀγγέλουςangelousmessengersG32

καὶkaiandG2532

ἑτέρᾳheteraby anotherG2087

ὁδῷhodōwayG3598

ἐκβαλοῦσα;ekbalousahaving sent [them] forth?G1544

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for James 2:25

Hebrews 11:31
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Joshua 6:22-25
But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Joshua 2:19-21
And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Joshua 2:15
Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
Joshua 2:4
And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
Joshua 6:17
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
Joshua 2:1
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Matthew 21:31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Joshua 2:6
But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
James 2:22
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

was.
Jos 2:1; Mt 1:5
Rachab. the harlot.
Mt 21:31
justified.
18,22
when.
Jos 2:19-21; 6:17,22-25; Heb 11:31

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:25
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Read all of James 2

James 2:25 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Asimismo también Rahab la ramera, ¿no fué justificada por obras, cuando recibió los mensajeros, y los echó fuera por otro camino?
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et pareillement Rahab aussi, la prostituée, n’a-t-elle pas été justifiée par les œuvres, ayant reçu les messagers et les ayant mis dehors par un autre chemin?
German Elberfelder 1871	Ist aber gleicherweise nicht auch Rahab, die Hure, aus Werken gerechtfertigt worden, da sie die Boten aufnahm und auf einem anderen Wege hinausließ?
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Similiter et Rahab meretrix, nonne ex operibus justificata est, suscipiens nuntios, et alia via ejiciens?